Election 2022: Manchester Voter Guide

MANCHESTER, CT — Residents of Manchester will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to vote in several key races.

Eyes are on the gubernatorial race as incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont faces off against Republican nominee Bob Stefanowski and Independent Party candidate Rob Hotaling. Voters will also get to decide on several state constitutional positions including treasurer, comptroller, attorney general and secretary of the state.

Connecticut also has a U.S. Senate seat up for grabs. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is seeking a third term, while Republican Leora Levy hopes to unseat him. All the state’s congressional seats are up for election as well.

The 2022 election includes all seats in the state General Assembly.

Voters will also get to decide whether the state should allow early voting. The question on the ballot is:

• "Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?"

There are five other questions on the Manchester ballot, all with a local focus:

• Shall the Town of Manchester appropriate $39,000,000 to capital accounts for the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget for the construction of a new main branch of the Manchester Public Library at 1041 Main Street and authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds of the town or notes in anticipation of such bonds in an amount not to exceed $39,000,000, or so much as may be necessary after deducting grants to be received for the project, to finance the appropriation?
• Shall the Town of Manchester amend the Town Charter to make certain technical and administrative changes?
• Shall the Town of Manchester amend section 3-4 of the Town Charter to provide for the direct election of the mayor?
• Shall the Town of Manchester amend the Town Charter to eliminate the residency requirement for the Superintendent of Schools, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Director of Public Works, and the Superintendent of Water and Sewer Department?
• Shall the membership of the Planning and Zoning Commission be increased to 7 members upon the effective date of any approval by the voters of this proposed Charter change, and to 9 members on November 17, 2025

Absentee Voting

Connecticut reverted to its relatively strict absentee ballot regulations. Officials made an exception during the last federal election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A voter needs to meet specific criteria. Voters can apply online or turn in a request to the town clerk office. There is a separate process for an emergency ballot within six days of an election.

Voting On Election Day

Polls in Connecticut are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can use the Secretary of State’s website to find your polling place. Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Connecticut also allows for Election Day registration at designated centers in each town. People must be registered by 8 p.m. in order to vote using Election Day registration.

For questions, contact the Manchester Registrars of Voters office here.

Notable Contested Races

Governor/ Lieutenant Governor

• Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz (Democratic Party)
• Bob Stefanowski and Laura Devlin (Republican Party
• Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz (Griebel Frank For CT Party)
• Robert Hotaling and Stewart “Chip” Beckett (Independent Party)
• Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz (Working Families Party)

U.S. Senator

• Richard Blumenthal (Democratic Party)
• Leora Levy (Republican Party)
• Richard Blumenthal (Working Families Party)

Congressional Representative

1st District

• John Larson (D)
• Larry Lazor (R)
• Mary Sanders (G)

State Government

Voting Districts 7 and 8

4th Senate

• MD Rahman (D)
• Jacqueline Crespan (R)

9th House

• Jason Rojas (D)
• Matthew Lauf (R)

Voting District 1

4th Senate

• MD Rahman (D)
• Jacqueline Crespan (R)

11th House

• Jeff Currey (D)

Voting Districts 2, 3, 4, 10

4th Senate

• MD Rahman (D)
• Jacqueline Crespan (R)

12th House

• Geoff Luxenberg (D)

Voting Districts 5, 6, 9

4th Senate

• MD Rahman (D)
• Jacqueline Crespan (R)

13th House

• Jason Doucette (D)
• Donna Meier (R)

For a sample ballot, click here.